Understanding Differences in Nonmarket Valuation by Angler Specialization Level

Abstract

Using the concept of recreation specialization, we would expect willingness-to-pay (WTP) differences among participant sub-groups as an expression of increasing commitment to their activity. To expand understanding of predictable angler sub-group differences in economic valuation, a two-stage process was used to investigate WTP differences among heterogeneous sub-groups. Cluster analysis was used with a three dimensional specialization model. A zero truncated binomial regression model was applied to estimate anglers' consumer surplus values per trip. Results supported the expectation that anglers in each group placed a different value on the social benefits associated with fishing and their concerns for possible resource loss. Keywords: recreation specializationnonmarket valuationwillingness-to-paytravel cost methodrecreational fishing Acknowledgments We appreciate the project funding support by the Inland Fisheries Division Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. Notes **Indicates the statistical significance at 5% level. *Indicates the statistical significance at 10% level. 1Overall, more specialized anglers spent more fishing days per trip at Sam Rayburn. Thus, despite the increase in total number of fishing days (presented Table 3), the number of fishing trips was about the same for three groups.